The Breaks: Sly and the Family Stone 'Dance to the Music'

As is easily seen on this blog, Sly and the Family Stone are known for their endearing breaks in addition to their endearing run of fantastic albums through the late 60s and early 70s. One of the breaks that has become a staple for hip-hop and dance producers is the pounding intro to their hit single 'Dance to the Music' from their 1968 album of the same title. This post will explore the artists who've used 'Dance to the Music' through the years.

Upon its release, the single was a psych funk hit and become an instant classic. Sly and the Family Stone themselves expanded on 'Dance to the Music' with the excellent 12 minute 'Dance to the Medley', also on the album 'Dance to the Music', which utilizes the same drum pattern with some very samplable fills throughout. One year after the release of 'Dance to the Music', Stax staple the Bar-Kays covered 'Dance to the Music' for their album 'Gotta Groove'.

Twenty years later, as hip-hop gained the use of samplers, 'Dance to the Music' was revived as a prime drum source for producers. Notably, Dr. Dre and Yella uses the break for N.W.A.'s L.A. dance club homage 'Something 2 Dance 2' from 1988's 'Straight Outta Compton'. In 1992, Beastie Boys and Mario Caldato Jr. sampled the break for the Beasties track 'Finger Lickin' Good' on their third album 'Check Your Head'.

In 1994, two indie bands sampled the break for their projects. Japanese band Pizzicato Five sampled Sly on 'Sweet Soul Revue' for their 'Made in USA' compilation for Matador Records and England's Primal Scream sampled Sly on their hit single 'Rocks' from fourth their album 'Give Out But Don't Give Up'.

The Lowdown:
Sly and the Family Stone 'Dance to the Music' and 'Dance to the Medley'
from 'Dance to the Music' (1968) (MP3/CD)
Bar-Kays 'Dance to the Music'
from 'Gotta Groove' (1969) (MP3/CD)
N.W.A. 'Something 2 Dance 2'
from 'Straight Outta Compton' (1988) (MP3/CD)
Beastie Boys 'Finger Lickin' Good'
from 'Check Your Head' (1992) (MP3/CD)
Pizzicato Five 'Sweet Soul Revue'
from 'Made in USA' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Primal Scream 'Rocks'
from 'Give Out But Don't Give Up' (1994) (MP3/CD)

Related Posts:
Source Material: Sly and the Family Stone 'There's a Riot Goin' On'